How to pronounce underestimate
Say it like uhn-duh-RES-tuh-mayt. Underestimate has five syllables, and the main stress falls on the third one (RES).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce underestimate. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- uhn
- duh
- RES
- tuh
- mayt
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Underestimate pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- uhnGive this part a little weight. The vowel is the "u" in cup.
- duhKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
- RESSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "e" in bed.
- tuhKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
- maytGive this part a little weight. The vowel is the "ay" in day.
American vs British pronunciation of underestimate
American and British speakers say underestimate in essentially the same way: /ˌʌndəˈrɛstəˌmeɪt/ in the US and /ˌʌndəˈrɛstəˌmeɪt/ in the UK.
British respelling: uhn-duh-RES-tuh-mayt.
Other ways to say underestimate
Underestimate also has this pronunciation, usually with a different meaning or use:
- UHN-duh-RES-tuh-mut /ˈʌndəˈrɛstəmət/
What does underestimate mean?
- assign too low a value to“Don't underestimate the value of this heirloom-you may sell it at a good price”
- make a deliberately low estimate“The construction company wanted the contract badly and lowballed”
- make too low an estimate of“he underestimated the work that went into the renovation”“Don't underestimate the danger of such a raft trip on this river”
- an estimation that is too low; an estimate that is less than the true or actual value
Where does underestimate come from?
From under- + estimate.
Similar and opposite words
Opposite meaning
Words that rhyme with underestimate
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of underestimate.
Questions about saying underestimate
How do you pronounce underestimate?
Say uhn-duh-RES-tuh-mayt. The American pronunciation is /ˌʌndəˈrɛstəˌmeɪt/. In British English it is /ˌʌndəˈrɛstəˌmeɪt/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in underestimate?
Underestimate has five syllables, and the main stress falls on the third one (RES). Broken into parts: uhn · duh · RES · tuh · mayt.
Do Americans and Brits say underestimate the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /ˌʌndəˈrɛstəˌmeɪt/ and the British form is /ˌʌndəˈrɛstəˌmeɪt/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.